Ch. 681The Path of a Golden Immortal, How Treacherous It Is?
Summary: "The Path of a Golden Immortal, How Treacherous It Is?"
1. Key Plot Points & Events
- Ying Zheng (King of Qin) watches a sparring match between his general Bai Qi and the Imperial Preceptor, Li Tian—a match that Bai Qi himself initiated.
- Ying Zheng reflects that he witnessed Li Tian's true power at Mount Tai's peak and has absolute confidence in the Preceptor's strength.
- Bai Qi launches a full-force punch at late True Immortal peak; Li Tian casually blocks it with a barrier and counters with a massive golden palm seal.
- Refusing to yield, Bai Qi activates "Mad Demon Burning Blood" (燃血疯魔), a life-risking technique fueled by his murderous battlefield intent, which forcibly boosts his aura to half-step Golden Immortal.
- The narration breaks down the cultivation philosophy: true Golden Immortalhood requires comprehending and condensing a personal "law (Dao)"; without a law, even the strongest True Immortal eventually dies.
- Li Tian privately praises Bai Qi's ferocity, comparing him favorably to Nezha and Yang Jian.
- The chapter ends with Bai Qi unleashing a desperate barrage of Wavebreaker Blade slashes against the descending palm imprint—an explosion of force.
2. Character Developments
- Bai Qi: Reveals the depths of his obsession with battle and proving himself. He willingly burns his own essence, qi, and spirit to force a realm breakthrough in combat, risking self-destruction. His "Human Butcher" identity—born from slaughter in Qin's wars—surfaces as his core battle-intent fueling the Mad Demon state.
- Li Tian: Coolly controlled and absolute in power. He gauges Bai Qi's blows, adjusts his own force accordingly, and even sends a private voice note to Ying Zheng promising to restrain himself—showing political awareness and respect for the King's concerns.
- Ying Zheng: Reveals his pragmatic, talent-cherishing nature through internal monologue: he values Bai Qi above Meng Tian and Wang Jian, seeing him as a unique military genius. He is emotionally torn between his trust in Li Tian and fear for Bai Qi's fate.
3. Significant Themes
- The harshness of the Golden Immortal path: Ninety-nine percent of cultivators die trapped at the True Immortal threshold because comprehending a "natal law" is nearly impossible—raw power alone is worthless without Dao comprehension.
- The price of obsession/pride: Bai Qi's refusal to accept limits, his choice to court death for glory ("a blood-soaked narrow alley" instead of a safe, broad road).
- The gap between mortal genius and immortal transcendence: Even Bai Qi's peak, half-step Golden Immortal cultivation can't necessarily match a true Golden Immortal—talent in war is not talent in cultivation.
- Kingship and accountability: Ying Zheng's anxiety is political as much as personal—if Bai Qi forced a deadly fight, Li Tian would bear no blame (the challenge was Bai Qi's).
4. Character Interactions
- Li Tian ↔ Ying Zheng: Nonverbal communication zone—the Preceptor senses Ying Zheng's tension through his brow and silently reassures him ("This poor Daoist knows his limits"), causing the King's shoulders to relax.
- Li Tian ↔ Bai Qi: Mutual acknowledgment. Bai Qi shows combat respect by announcing "excuse my offense"; Li Tian returns genuine praise ("Good!") for Bai Qi's strike, presenting a facade of scholarly calm even as he counters with overwhelming power.
- Ying Zheng ↔ Bai Qi (internal): Through Ying Zheng's thoughts we see the general's importance to Qin: a man of peerless loyalty and bravery, a military strategist whose command acumen exceeds Meng Tian and Wang Jian by a decisive margin.
- Bai Qi ↔ his own nature: His descent into the slaughter-lust "Human Butcher" personality, driven by years of battlefield bloodshed, consumes his rationality mid-fight.